Toy electric train assembly



July 4, 1961 J. c. TIMMER TOY ELECTRIC TRAIN ASSEMBLY Fi led Nov. 4,1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENmR JAN vC. TIMMER 5y 7 &l6'

fiTT kAlt fi 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 as f 94 99 J. C. TIMMER TOY ELECTRIC TRAINASSEMBLY July 4, 1961 Filed Nov. 4, 1957 I ENT R TIMMER JAN C.

HTToRgVEl I J. C. TIMMER TOY ELECTRIC TRAIN ASSEMBLY July 4, 1961 4sheets-sheet s TIMMER BY A IN VENT 0/? JAN C.

HTTORMEYS Filed Nov. 4, 1957 mum I... l lllllllpullll J. C. TIMMER TOYELECTRIC TRAIN ASSEMBLY July 4, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 4, 19572sa 276 L278 I/VVENTaR JAN C, TIMM ER United States Patent r 2,990,964TOY ELECTRIC TRAIN ASSEMBLY Jan C. Timmer, 2366 Cornwall St., Vancouver,British Columbia, Canada Filed Nov. 4, 1957, Ser. No. 694,275 17 Claims.(Cl. 213-212) a set of tracks anywhere along said tracks.

Another object is the provision of a toy train assembly in which eachcar includes coupler operating means which is identical with that of theother cars.

Another object is the provision of an electric toy train "assemblyincorporating means for electrically uncoupling any desired car of atrain on its tracks, whether said train is stationary or in motion, andanywhere along the tracks.

A further object is the provision of a train assembly including meansfor remotely controlling the uncoupling and coupling of the cars of atrain while moving or stationary on tracks anywhere throughout thelength thereof.

Toy train assemblies include tracks which are usually laid out in aclosed circuit, an engine, and one or more cars. The tracks may includethree rails, one of which is an electric conductor or power rail, whilethe other two are return rails, or they may include only two rails, oneof which is used as a power rail and the other a return rail. For thesake of convenience, the present invention will be described inconnection with a two-rail system, and with a train consisting of anengine and two cars.

The train assembly constituting this invention is so designed that aperson operating the train can uncouple any desired car in the trainwhile it is on its tracks and at any point throughout the length of thelatter. The couplers of the selected car are opened from a point remotetherefrom by the operator, and they may also be closed by him withouttouching the car or train.

A toy electric train assembly according to the present inventionincludes the following basic features:

(1) Running and signal current creating means connected to the track,and means for interrupting this current-the operating and signalcurrents may be from a single source or from separate sources.

(2) High voltage operating current producing means in the engine andinterrupting means therefor.

(3) Means in each car operated by means of the high voltage current foropening the car couplers.

(4) Means in each car for closing the couplers.

Running and signal current creating means The running current is a lowvoltage current. It is preferably direct current, but it may bealternating current.

The signal current is different from the running current, that is, ifone is A.C. therother is D.C. or high frequency A.C. As stated above,the running current is preferably D.C. and, therefore, the signalcurrent is preferably A.C.

The signal current may be provided in the following ways:

(a) Low voltage A.C. is superimposed on D.C. operating current. This maybe done in several ways. For example, when the original source of poweris A.C. (usually 60 cycle house current), a unit consisting of avariable transformer and reversible rectifier is used. This produces therequired D.C. at a desired voltage, e.g. 12 volts, plus a ripple A.C. ofapproximately $4 or /2 volt. The D.C. is the running current, and theripple A.C. is

7 2,990,964 Patented July 4, 1961 the signal current. A battery may beused as the original source. It supplies the running D.C., while avibrating unit and a transformer may be used to create a signal A.C.

(b) When A.C. is transformed to running D.C. at desired voltage, e.g. 12volts, a high frequency generator is used to change alternating currentfrom a suitable source, such as ordinary 60 cycle house current, to highfrequency signal alternating current which is superimposed on therunning D.C. However a battery may be used to provide direct current,and the same or another battery may provide current for a vibrator whichsupplies A.C. to a high frequency generator. In this case, the generatorproduces a high frequency signal A.C. superimposed upon a running D.C.Moreover, instead of a. direct running current, an alternating runningcurrent of a desired voltage, say 20 volts, may be used.

(c) When A.C. is transformed to running A.C. of a desired volt-age, sayfor example 20 volts, a signal D.C. is superimposed upon this runningcurrent.

High voltage producing means in engine (a) When the signal current is aripple current, the high voltage operating current may be produced inthe engine in two ways:

(1) The rlpplecurrent travels through a vibrator which is in series witha high voltage battery. The vibrator is so constructed that when theripple current is stopped, the high voltage current is cut oil.Alternatively, this may be reversed, that is, the high voltage currentmay normally be oh, and operation or the signal current may close andopen the lllgll voltage circuit.

a A mgn voltage A.C. transformer is used instead of the high voltagebattery in (1) immediately above. in U118 case, the running D.C. runsthrough the vibrator to the primary of the transformer. The vlhratorreverses the current in the primary to produce a high voltage A.C. 1nthe secondary.

lb) it a high frequency signal A.C. is used, a high frequencytransrormer is provided in the engine. The signal current runs through acapacitor or condenser and the primary of the transformer. This steps upthe high frequency voltage. interruptions in the signal currentinterrupts the high voltage current. A rectifier is connected to mesecondary of the transformer in order to convert the high voltage A.C.to high voltage D.C.

Car coupling operating means Each car includes electrically-operatedmeans for op eratlng mechanical or electrical means to open the coupiersof the car. This electrical means is connected in circuit with the highvoltage producing means of the engine when the car is coupled to thelatter. interruption of the high voltage current causes the couplers tobe opened. The electrical operating means is so constructed and isconnected to the rails that it is responsive to interruption of therunning current to close the car couphngs again.

Examples of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which,

FIGURE 1 is a wiring diagram of a toy electric train assembly,illustrating one form of running and signal current creating means, oneform of high voltage producing means in an engine, and two cars with oneform of conpier operating means,

FIGURE 2. is a plan View, partly in section, of the coupler operatingmeans of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the mechanism of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 4 is a section taken on line 44 of FIG- wires 36.

FIGURE 5 is a cross section taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 6 is a wiring diagram of a train assembly, illustrating analternative form of running and signal current creating means, analternative form of high voltage producing means in the engine, and twocars each having an alternative form of coupler operating means,

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged bottom plan view of a form of coupler that maybe used on the engine and cars of FIGURE 6, showing the coupler open,

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation of the coupler of FIG- URE 7,

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 7 with the coupler in the closedposition,

FIGURE 10 is another form of high voltage producing means in an enginealternative to that of FIGURE 6, and

FIGURE 11 is a wiring diagram of another alternative form of running andsignal creating means, and another alternative form of high voltage,creating means in an engine. 7

Referring to FIGURES 1 to 5 of the drawings, in one form of toy electrictrain assembly, 10 generally designates running and signal currentcreating means, 12 an engine including high voltage producing means, and14 and 16 two cars including identical coupler operating means. Tracks18 and 19 are provided upon which the train runs, said tracks beinginsulated from each other.

Running and signal current creating means 10 In this example, ordinaryhouse current is used for creating both the running and signal currents.This is usually 110 volts 60 cycle AC. The running direct current isobtained by means of a variable transformer and reversible rectifier. Apower unit 25 is shown for this purpose. These units are well known andare commonly used with toy trains. The unit includes a standard switch26 for cutting off the running current, and for controlling the voltagethereof up to the maximum value. For example, this may be about 12volts. The unit also. includes a reversing switch indicated at 27 forreversing the D.C. in the usual manner for reversing the. enginecontrolled by the running current. Unit 25 is connected to the originalsource of power in any suitable manner, such as by means of wires 30.

The signal current is produced by a high frequency generator 35connected to the house current sourceby Any desired frequency may begenerated, such as from 100 to 20 0 kc. A generator of this type is wellknown in the electronic field, and does not need description herein.However, a high frequency current is produced and directed through theprimary 39. of the generator output transformer, the latter also havinga secondary 40. A high frequency low voltage current is produced by thisequipment. For example, this may be about 12 volts. The secondary coilis connected in series with the unit 25 and track 19 by wires 42 and 43,respectively.

A control section 46 is provided. This section includes a push buttonswitch 48 and/or a repeater switch 50. If both switches are used, theyare connected in series by a wire 51. The latter switch is operated by acam 52 which is connected by suitable means, not shown, to arotatably-mounted knob 53 having an indicator 54 projecting therefrom.This indicator co-operates with evenly spaced and numbered marks 55arranged around the knob. The knob may be turned in the, direction ofarrow 57 to move the indicator toany desired mark 55. When the knob isreleased, suitable spring means, not shown, returns it to the zero. mark58., The connection of cam 52 with the knob. is such that the cam makesone complete revolution during the time the indicator travels from onemark to the next. As controls of this 7 4 mechanism of this one indetail. A capacitor or condenser 62 is connected in series with switches48 and 50, and these three elements are connected by a wire 64 to wire'42, and by wire 65 to track 18. Another wire 67 connects unit 25 towire 65 and, consequently, to track 18. The power unit 25 provides arunning D.C. for the tracks. The circuit connecting the power unit tothe tracks consists of wires 65, '67, and 42, secondary coil 40 and wire43. Switches 48 and 50 are normally closed so that the high frequencylow voltage current is applied to the tracks by a circuit consisting ofwires 42 and 64, capacitor 62, switches 48 and 50, and wires 65 and 43.Thus, a high frequency signal current is superimposed on the runningdirect current. The signal current may be interrupted by opening switch48 or switch 50. Knob 52 makes it possible to open and close switch 50any desired number of times continuously by turning said knob to thedesired mark 55.

High voltage producing means in engine 12 Engine 12 is provided withpick-ups 70 and 71. These may be special rollers for the purpose, orthey may be regular wheels of the engine. The engine has a suitable Thedirection of this current determines the direction of rotation of themotor and, consequently, the direction of movement of the engine. A highfrequency transformer 79 has a primary coil 80 in parallel'with themotor 73 and in series with a capacitor 81. The secondary 83 of thetransformer is connected to a single or double phase rectifier 84 which,in turn, is connected to a wire 85 which extends between and isconnected to the couplers 86 and 87 of the engine.

Transformer 79 transforms the high frequency low voltage signal currentinto a high voltage current which is used to operate the coupleroperating means of the cars attached to the engine. An interruption inthe signal current results in an interruption in this high voltageoperating current.

Coupler operating means of car 14 Car 14 has couplers 90 and 91 at itsopposite ends. A solenoid or electro-magnet 94 is mounted in the car andincludes three windings 95, 96 and 97. This solenoid or electr'o-magnetwhen energized, acts to move a suitable operating member. In thisexample the member is in the form of a common core 98 movably mounted inthe windings. The core is moved out of the windings by tension spring99, but when current travels through any one of the windings, the coreis drawn back into the solenoid. The core is adapted to operate a togglemechanism 101 hereinafter described. Obviously any suitable operatingarm may be used in place of the core as long as it is moved when currentflows through any one of the windings. This mechanism is designed tooperate a single switch 104, and a two-way switch 105. Switch 104 isnormally open, while switch 105 is normally closed at contact 106, andnormally open at contact 107.

Car 14 has pick-ups 109 and 110 riding on rails 19and 18, respectively.These may be special rollers, or they may be wheels of the car. Pick-up109 is connected by 'wire 112 to switch contact 107, while pick-up 110is connected by wire 113 to winding 97, said winding being connected bya wire 114 to switch 105. One end of Winding 95 is connected to switchcontact 106 by wire 117, while the opposite end of said winding isconnected by wire 118 to switch 104 and to coupler 90. One end ofwinding 96 is connected by wire 120 to wire 117 and switch contact 106,while the opposite end of said coil is connected by wires 121 and 122 toswitch 104 and coupler 91, respectively.

. Wheneoupler 9.0. is connected to a couplerof engine 12, such ascoupler 87, the high voltage operating c'urrent flows through coil 95and contact 106 of switch 105 to energize solenoid 94 and draw core 98thereinto where it normally remains. If coupler 91 is connected to anengine coupler, the high voltage operating current travels throughwinding 96 and contact 106 of switch 105 to energize the solenoid andretract its core. In both of these cases nothing happens to thecouplers. However, an interruption of the operating current, allows thecore to be moved out to close switch 104, as hereinafter described, andto change switch 105 to close contact 107 and open contact 106. Theclosing of switch 104 connects coupler 90 to coupler 91, while theclosing 'of contact 107allows the running current to flow throughwinding 97 of the solenoid thereby again energizing the latter. Thiskeeps core 98 in the solenoid until the circuit including winding 97 isbroken. An interruption in the running current permits core 98 tomoveo'ut of the solenoid to open switch 104 and close contact 106 ofswitch 105 and open contact 107 thereof.

FIGURES 2 to illustrate solenoid 94 and the toggle mechanism 101 indetail. The toggle arrangement includes a toggle 126 mounted ona shaft127 journalled in a bearing 128 carried by a bracket 129 extendingoutwardly from the solenoid. The toggle has a V-sh-aped tongue 132projecting outwardly therefrom generally towards the solenoid. A post133 projects upwardly from the tongue and is connected by a spring 134to a fixed support 135 projecting upwardly from bracket 129. The springis so arranged relative to shaft 127 that it tips the outer end oftongue 132 to one side or the other of centre or toggle line 137. Whenthe spring is on one side of the centre or toggle line, the toggle bearsagainst a stop 139, and when the spring is on the other side of saidcentre line, the toggle bears against stop 140. A flexible finger 142 issecured to the outer end of solenoid core 98 and extends towards thetoggle tongue. When the core is moved out of the solenoid, this fingerstrikes one side of the tongue which extends across the path of movementof the finger, and this side directs the finger into a pocket 144 sothat the toggle is swung round the axis of shaft 127 sufliciently tomove spring 134 across the toggle line. The next time the core is movedout of the solenoid, it strikes the opposite side of the toggle tongueand is directed into pocket 146 to swing the toggle through the springback 'across the toggle line.

An operating bar 148 formed of insulating material is connected to shaft127 below toggle 126 and is substantially normal to tongue 132. Thisbaris provided with bevelled ends 149 and 150. End 149 is positionednormally to allow switch 104 to remain open, but when the bar is pivotedaround the axis of shaft 127 said switch is closed. End 150 ispositioned to allow contact 106 of switch 105 to be normally closed, andcontact 107 normally open. When the bar is swung round the shaft,contact 106 is opened and contact 107 is closed, while switch 104 isclosed.

A coupler bar 154 is fixedly secured to the lower end of shaft 127 andextends substantially parallel with bar 148 and normal to tongue 126.One end of coupler bar 154 is connected by a string 156 to coupler 90,while the opposite end of said bar is connected by string 157 to coupler91. When bar 154 is in its normal position, both couplers are closed,but when it is swung out of said position by movement of toggle 126,both couplers are opened.

This type of coupling is well known in the toy train field. Whilemechanical means have been shown for opening the couplers, it will beunderstood that they may be opened electrically since suchelectrically-operated couplers are in existence. In this case, bar 154or some other part of the toggle mechanism 101 would close switches toopen the couplers when desired.

' The operation of the toy train assembly described above will now bedescribed. When car 16 is coupled to car '14, and the'latteris coupledto engine 12,'the high voltage current produced by trans-former 79 inthe engine travels through engine coupler 87 and coupler 90 of car 14 towinding 95 of said car, thereby keeping core 98 in solenoid 94. At thistime, the toggle mechanism 101 is in its normal position, so that switch104 is open, and contact 106 of switch 105 is closed while contact 107is open. As switch 104 is open, the high voltage current does not reachcoupler 90 and the circuits of car 16.

Power unit provides the running DC for operating motor 73 to move theengine along the tracks. The direction of the movement of the engine maybe reversed by means of switch 27. As previously stated, the generatorproduces ahigh frequency current which runs through the primary 80 oftransformer 79 in the engine to produce the high voltage current whichis utilized to operate the car couplers.

If the signal current is interrupted once by switch' 48 or,50, solenoid94 of car 14 is de-energized so that core 98 is moved outwardlytherefrom by spring 99 to move toggle 126 from its normal position,closing switch 104 and opening contact 106 of switch'105 and closingcontact 107 thereof. This last action causes the running current to flowthrough winding 97 to draw core 98 back into the solenoid. When thetoggle was moved, coupler bar 154 also moved to open couplers and 91.The last energizing of the solenoid'does not affect this since spring134 retains the toggle in the new position. If the engine is movingforwardly at this time, it is separated from car 14. On the other hand,if the engine is moving backwards, the separation does not take placeuntil the engine is reversed. An interruption of the running current bymeans of switch 26 or 27 breaks the circuit of winding 97 to de-energizethe solenoid. The core again is forced out of the solenoid to returntoggle 126 to its normal position, thus opening switch 104, and openingcontact'107 and closing contact 106 of switch 105. At the same time,coupler bar 154 is turned to its normal position to allow the carcouplers to close. If the car is alone and separated from the engine,the opening of switch 104 has no effect, but the closing of contact 106sets up the circuits to permit the solenoid to be energized when againconnected to the high'voltage current circuit. This takes place when thecar again is coupled to the engine. When this takes place, the highvoltage current goes through coil to energize the solenoid, therebydrawing the core back into it. Y

The couplers illustrated in the drawings are the type which are normallyclosed, but open momentarily to permit coupling when other couplers aremoved against them.

If car 16 is coupled to car 14, and the latter :coupled to engine, car16 may be uncoupled in the following manner:

With the train running in the direction of car 16, the signal current isinterrupted once, thereby interrupting the high voltage current to openthe couplers of car 14. This closes switch 104 to permit the highvoltage current to energize solenoid 94 of car 16. This retracts thesolenoid core. An interruption of the running current deenergizes thesolenoid of car 14 to close the couplings of said car and to open switch104 thereof. The opening of this switch causes the solenoid of car 16 tode-energize and open the couplers of said car. This last interruption ofthe running current is accomplished by reversing switch 27 so that car14 is separated from car 16. The next interruption of the runningcurrent permits the couplers of car 16 to close.

It will be noted that when the train is running forwardly, oneinterruption of the signal current separates the first car (the carimmediately behind the engine) from the running train. One interruptionof the signal current when the train is moving backwards followed by thereversal of the engine, separates the second car from the train. Thus,any car may be separated from the engine end of the train by creatingthe required number of interruptions in the signal current. for thispurpose.

It will be noted that a high voltage current is produced in the engineto operate the coupler operating means of the cars. This is necessarysince a car may be coupled to the engine or another car in such a waythat the running current travels through the high voltage coils of thecar solenoid. This cannot operate the solenoid since it is designed forhigh voltage currents only. The difference between the running andoperating currents must be sufficient to preclude any possibility of thecar solenoids being operated by the running current alone. Furthermore,the pick-up 110 engages one of the rails, and when it is against onenail the running current is with the high voltage current and when it isagainst the other rail the currents are opposed. Therefore, thedifference between the currents has to be suflicient to ensure the highvoltage solenoids being properly operated under all conditions.

As will be understood, the high voltage coils 95 and 96 are employed toutilize the voltage of the operating current to keep said current downto a minimum. The coils could be replaced by resistances, in which casecoil '97 alone would have to move the solenoid core by the operatingcurrent.

The train assembly of FIGURE 1 has been illustrated and described ashaving a D.C. running current. However, as a high frequency signalcurrent is used, an AC. running current may be utilized instead of therunning DC. This would necessitate an AC. motor and a suitable reversingmechanism in the engine.

FIGURE 6 illustrates another form of train assembly having alternateforms of running and signal current creating means, high voltageproducing means, and coupler operating means. In this example, 166generally designates the running and signal current creating means, 168an engine including the alternative high voltage producing means, andcars 170 and 172 including alternative identical coupler operatingmeans. The train runs on tracks 174 and 175 that are insulated from eachother.

Switch 53 is provided Running and signal current creating means 166 Apower unit 180 is provided. This is a standard unit and includes avariable transformer and current rectifier, not shown, and a reversingswitch which has been indicated at 182. A switch knob 184 is providedfor cutting off the output current of the unit, and regulating saidcurrent anywhere up to its maximum voltage which,

for example, may be 12 volts. The unit is connected to the ordinaryhouse current of 110 volts AG. by wires 186 in the usual manner. Thepower unit produces direct current which serves as the running currentfor the train. The power unit is connected to rails 174 and 175 by wires189 and 190. As it is well known, the power unit also produces a rippleA.C. of very low voltage, and in this unit, it is approximately or /2volt. A condenser 192 or other types of direct current filter isconnected to wires 189 and 190 parallel to the transformer, and anormally-closed switch 193 is connected inseries with the capacitor.

The DC. produced by the power unit forms the running current, while theripple current is the signal current, but when switch 193 is closed, theripple current is shorted out. The ripple or signal current preferablyis provided only when required.

High voltage producing means in engine 168 The engine is provided withpick-ups 198 and 199, and with a suitable motor 201 connected in serieswith the pick-ups by wires 20-3 and 204. A sensitive vibrating relay 206has a magnet coil 207 connected in parallel by wires 208 and 209 withthe motor. The relay has a reed 212 normally spaced from opposedcontacts 213 and 214.

The reed is retained in this position by a spring 215. This spring isstrong enough that when the D-.C. running current alone'flows throughwinding 207, the reed is retained in its central position. However, whenthe ripple current flows with the running current, the fluctuations inthe magnetic pull cause the reed to vibrate between contacts 213 and214. The contacts are connected together by a wire 217, and the latteris connected by another wire 218 to a high voltage battery 220, saidbattery also being connected by a wire 221. to couplers 222 and 223- atopposite ends of the engine. The reed is also connected by wire 224 towire 209, and a capacitor 225 is connected to wires 224 and 218 toreduce sparking at contacts 213 and 214.

When reed 212 is in engagement alternately with contacts 213 and 214, ahigh voltage current flows from the battery to the engine couplers. Therunning D.C. operates motor 201 to move the train, while flow of thesignal ripple current closes the circuit of the battery 220 so that ahigh voltage current is directed to the engine couplers 222 and 223.Interruption of the signal ripple current interrupts the high voltagecurrent.

Coupler operating means of car Car 170 is provided with identicalcouplers 230 and 231 at opposite ends thereof, said couplers beingnormally urged towards and through closed positions by springs 232 and233, respectively. These couplers are electrically connected together bya wire 235; Contacts 237 and 238 are carried by couplers 230 and 231,and are connected by a wire 239.

A magnet coil 243 is connected by wire 244 to wire 239, and by anotherwire 245 to a pick-up 246 of the car. A reed 249 is normally spacedbetween the end of magnet 243 and the adjacent end of another magnet250, one end of the winding of the latter magnet being connected to acontact 251 spaced from the reed, while the opposite end of said windingis connected by a wire 252 to another pick-up 253 of the car. The reedis connected by a wire 254 to wire 245.

When the high voltage current from battery 220 in the engine runsthrough and energizes magnet 243, reed 249 which normally is clear ofcontact 251, is moved farther away from the latter. An interruption ofthis high voltage current causes the reed to spring into engagement withcontact 251. to allow the running DC. to flow through and energizemagnet 250. When the latter magnet is energized, an operating arm 256 isattracted to it against the tension of a spring 257 connected to saidarm. These magnets are such that magnet 243 is unable to attract thereed while magnet 250 is energized. The latter magnet keeps the reed inengagement with contact 251 until the circuit of said magnet is broken.

Couplers 230 and 231 are identical, and only one will be described indetail. Any type of coupler may be used as long as it is capable ofclosing contact 237 or 238 when in uncoupled position.

FIGURES 7 to 9 illustrate a coupler set-up that may be used. Coupler 230has a stationary jaw 260 and a movable jaw 261 swingably mounted thereonby means of a pivot pin 262. The movable jaw is normally swung into aclosed position by spring 232.

Contact 237 is in the form of a wire 265 secured to the side of themovable jaw and projecting downwardly therefrom, said wire beinginsulated from the jaw by insulation 266. A pin 268 relatively long incomparison to contact 237 is secured to jaw 261 and projects downwardlytherefrom at a point spaced outwardly from contact wire 265. A hairspring wire 270 is connected to the movable jaw at 271 and is woundaround pin 268 at 272. The wire extends substantially transversely ofthe coupler at 273 and back again at 274, see FIGURES 7 to 9. Theseportions of the wire form a light finger 275. The free end 276 of thewire is bent inwardly and bears against contact wire 265 when thecoupler is closed and noother coupler is positioned within its jaws, asshown in FIGURE 9. A string 278 is connected 9 to the lower end of pin268 and extends inwardly of car, 17 0. p

Coupler 230 is normally closed, and when no other coupler is within itsjaws, finger 275 extends transversely thereof, and the wire end 276 isin engagement with contact wire 265. The jaw 261 of the coupler is sodesigned that when another similar coupler is moved'towards thiscoupler, the movable jaws thereof engage, swing open, and then closeinto coupling position. This action moves finger 275 towards the car,moving wire end 276 out of engagement with the wire contact, see brokenlines in FIGURE 9. In effect, contact 237 is opened by this action.

"The opening of couplers 230 and 231 will be understood by referringback to FIGURE 6. String 278 is connectedto one end of a lever 280 thatis pivotally mounted midway between the ends thereof at 281. Theopposite end of this lever is connected by a string 282 to thedownwardly-extending pin 268 of coupler 231. The outer end of operatingarm 256 is connected by a link 284 to the end of lever 280 near string282.

With this arrangement, when arm 256 is attracted to magnet 250, lever280 is swung to open both of the couplers 230 and 231. If car 170 onlyis connected to the engine, or if it is the last car in a train, thecoupler at the end of the car remote from the engine is free, in thiscase coupler 231, and is held closed by spring 232. The wire end 276 ofthis coupler is in engagement with contactwire 265 at this time. Whenoperating arm 256 is moved .by the magnet, jaws 261 of couplers 230 and231 are opened, but the spring finger 275 of coupler 230 'pivots aroundpin 268 at'this time since it cannot vswing with the jaw because of thepin of the couple in engagement therewith, see FIGURE 9. a The operationof the toy train assembly of FIGURES 6 to.9 is as follows:

[The high: voltage operating current produced in engine .168 travelsQtoits couplers and through the couplers of the cars connected thereto,which in this case are cars 170 and"'172. This current travels to thecoupler 231 of car 172 and through contact 238 to and throughmagnet-coil 2430f that car. This keeps reed 249 clear .of contact 251.An. interruption in the signal current causes an interruption in thehigh voltage current, allowing the reed to engage'contact 251 toenergize magnet 250 in car 172. This opens the couplers of the car,disconnecting the latter from the train if it is moving forwardly. Thisaction releases coupler 231 of car 170 lsothat its spring finger 275springs outwardlyto cause the wire end 276 to engage contact 238 toenergize magnet 243 of this car. The couplers of car 172' are held ,openby the running current passing through magnet 250. However, aninterruption of the running current de-energizes this magnet allowingreed 249 to separate from.

.contact 251 and spring 257 to move operating lever 256 we positionwhich permits the coupler jaws to close underthe action of theirrespective springs.

The signal currentis created momentarily when switch 193is closed andopened, thus causing the high voltage current to .flow momentarily frombattery 220 in the engine This: momentarily energizes magnet 243 andconsequently magnet 250 of the last car in the train, openingth'eflcouplers ofsaid car. The couplers remain ,open until therunningcurrent is interrupted to de-energize magnet 250. Switch 193 may besuccessively opened any number of times to uncouple any desired numberof cars from. the train.

1 FIGURE 10 illustrates an alternative form of high yoltage producingmeans for engine 168. A transformer is substituted for the high voltagebattery of FIGURE 6. Instead of winding 207, the coil 290 of a sensitivevibrating relay is provided, said relay having a vibrating 1reed291 .andthe coil being connected in parallel with the ir otor .201 of the engineby wires 293 and 294. spring 295 tends to keep the reed centrallybetween spaced and aligned contacts 296 and 297. The reed is connectedby a wire 298' to wire 294. Contact 296. is connected by wire 299 to oneend of the primary 300 of a transformer 301, the opposite end of saidcoil being connected by a wire 302 to contact 297. A wire 303. connectsthe centre of coil 300 to wire 293. The secondary 305 of the transformeris connected to wire 221 of the engine extending between its couplers222 and 223. A condenser 306 is connected to wires 294 and 303 in orderto reduce sparking at the reed. j

Spring 295 is strong enough to keep reed 291 in its central positionwhen the running D.C. alone flows through coil 290. When the ripplecurrent flows with the running current, the fluctuations in the magneticpull cause the reed to vibrate between contacts 296 and 297, This causesthe current to how through primary 300 of transformer 301 to produce ahigh voltage operating current in the secondary. This high voltagecurrent is used to control the coupler operating means of the cars.Therefore, the ripple signal current is caused to flow momentarily byopening and closing switch 193. This causes the high voltage operatingcurrent to flow momentarilyito the engine and car couplers, therebyoperating the cou plers as described above. f

FIGURE 11, illustrates an alternative form of running and signal currentcreating means 310, and an alternative form of high voltage producingmeans in an engine 315. This illustrates a set up with an alternatingcurrent used as the running current, and a direct current used as thesignal current.

Running and signal current creating means 310 This assembly includes therunning and signal current creating and control means 310 which isconnected to rails 312 an 313 upon which the engine 315 runs.

Alternating running current of suitable voltage, such as 20 volts, issupplied to wires 320 and 321 by any suitable means, not shown. Thesupply means includes the usual control means for the running currentwhereby it may be shut off or increased and decreased as desired. Italso includes any desired known means for controlling the direction ofmovement of the engine. The actual en'- gine control means has beenomitted for the sake of clarity, and since it does not form part of thisinvention. Wire 320 is connected to rail 3-13. Wire 321 is connected toa blade 324 of a signal current control switch 325. The blade isnormally in engagement with a contact 327 which is connected by a wire328 to rail 312. Switch 325 includes another blade 330 having a contact331 thereon which is normally clear of another contact 332 mounted onblade 324. An operating plunger 333 is provided for closing contacts 331and 332. Blade 330 is connected by a wire 335 to a suitable resistance336, which, in turn, is connected by a wire 337 to a contact 338 alignedwith and spaced from contact 327 but normally out of engagement withblade 324. A battery 342 or any other suitable means to produce lowvoltage direct current is connected by wires, 343 and 344 respectivelyto wires 337 and 328'.

When switch 325 is in its normal position, the alternating runningcurrent travels to the rails through blade 324, contact 327 and wire328. At this time, the direct signal current does not flow from thebattery. It may be stated here that with this alternative, the signalcurrent is caused to flow only when it is desired to operate the carcouplers. When it is desired to operate the couplers, plunger 333 isdepressed, closing contacts 331 and 332. This permits the operating AC.to flow through the battery and the resistance when the blade is movedaway from contact 327. Further movement of the blade brings it intoengagement with contact 338. This shorts out the resistance. By thisarrangement, D.C. can be superimposed on the running A.C. withoutinterrupting the running current.

High voltage producing means in engine 315 connected by wires 355 and356 to pick-ups 350 and 351. This motor is such that it operates on thealternating running current. Any suitable reversing mechanism is usedfor the motor, and this is designated by numeral 358.

' The armature coil 362 of a horseshoe magnet unit 363 is connected inparallel with the engine motor by wires 365 and 366. A bar 368 projectsfrom armature 362 so that said bar is swung back and forth between thepoles of the magnet and between contacts 369 and 370. Springs 371 and372 tend to maintain the bar in a neutral position clear of bothcontacts. The bar is connected to wire 365. Contacts 369 and 370 areconnected by a wire 375 to one end of the primary 376 of a transformer377, the opposite end of said primary being connected by a wire 378 towire 366. The transformer has a secondary 380 connected to a wire 381extending between the engine couplers 383 and 384.

' When the running A.C. is on, it travels through armature coil 362 tokeep bar 368 vibrating between but clear of contacts 369 and 370. Whenthe signal DC is on, armature 362 is rotated, causing bar 368 to engageone of the contacts 369 or 370, depending upon the direction of flow ofsaid current. This directs the A.C. through the primary of thetransformer to produce a high voltage A.C. in secondary 380.

' When it is desired to produce the high voltage operating current,plunger 333 is depressed to superimpose the signal current on therunning current. The signal current flows through coil 362 to hold bar368 against contact 369 or 370. This causes running A.C. to flow throughthe primary of transformer 377, thereby producing the high voltagecurrent. Release of plunger 333 interrupts the operating current.

The high voltage operating current produced in engine 315 may beutilized with any of the car coupler operating means described above.

While the engine and car couplers have been described above as part ofthe high voltage operating current circuits, it is to be understood thatspecial contact means may be substituted for the couplers in thesecircuits. The contact means of each car would engage with the contactmeans of any other car or engine when said car is coupled thereto.Furthermore, the car coupler operating means of FIGURE 6 may be used inplace of that illustrated in FIGURE 1 and vice versa. In addition tothis, the repeater switch 53 of FIGURE 1 may be used in the otherillustrated systems. While it is preferred to open the couplers at bothends of the cars, it will be understood that only one may be opened, inwhich case the cars cannot be reversed on the rails.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a toy electric train assembly, a track layout including spacedcurrent conducting rails insulated from each other and upon which mayrun a train made up of an engine and at least one car each havingcurrent pick- .ups engaging said rails, said engine including a lowvoltage running motor connected to the engine pick-up, a source of lowvoltage running current, means connecting said low voltage source to therails for supplying low voltage running current to the engine motor torun the train, a source of signal current, said signal current beingdilferent from said running current, means connected to the rails forsuperimposing said signal current on the running current, means in theengine connected to the pick-ups thereof and controlled by said signalcurrent for producing a high voltage operating current, electric coupleroperating circuit means in the car connected to the engine operatingcurrent producing means and to the car pick-ups, couplers on the engineand car, means connecting said operating current to said coupleroperating circuit means, means connected in circuit with the source ofsignal current for interrupting said signal current and forsimultaneously interrupting the operating current, said coupleroperating means being responsive to interruptions in the operatingcurrent for opening at least one of the car couplers.

2. A toy train assembly as claimed in claim 1 includ ing means in thecar connected to the car pick-ups and operated by the running current toretain the couplers open until said running is interrupted.

3. A toy train assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the engine andcar couplers form part of means connecting the car coupler operatingcircuit means to the engine operating current producing means.

4. In a toy electric train assembly, a track layout including spacedcurrent conducting rails insulated from each other and upon which mayrun a train made up of an engine and at least one. car each havingcurrent pickups engaging said train, said engine including a low voltagerunning motor connected to the enginge pick-ups, a source of low voltagerunning current, means connecting said low voltage source to the railsfor supplying low voltage running current to the engine motor to run thetrain, a source of signal current, said signal current being differentfrom said running current, means connected to the. rails forsuperimposing said signal current on the running current, means in theenginge connected to the pick-ups thereof and controlled by the signalcurrent for producing a high voltage operating current, means in circuitwith the source of signal current means for interrupting the signalcurrent and simultaneously for interrupting the operating current, anelectro-magnetic device in the car having two windings, an operatingmember that is moved inwardly towards the magnetic device when currentflows through said windings, means normally urging the member outwardlyaway from the magnetic device, means connecting either winding to theengine operating current producing means depending upon which end of thecar is connected to the engine, means connecting both windings to one ofthe car pick-ups, said member being drawn inwardly to the magneticdevice when the operating current flows through one of the windings,coup lers on the engine and car, and means operated by the member whenthe operating current is interrupted to open the car couplers.

5. A toy train assembly as claimed in claim 4 including a third windingin the electro-magnetic device connected to a car pick-up, and switchmeans operated by the operating member moving outwardly from themagnetic device to connect said third winding to the other car pick-upto energize said magnetic device by the running current and move themember inwardly when the car couplers are opened, an interruption of therunning current permitting the member to move outwardly to cause thecoupler to close.

6. A toy train assembly as claimed in claim 5 including another carcoupled to the first car and having the same eleetro-magnet and couplerarrangement as the latter car, switch means operated by the operatingmember of the first car moving outwardly to connect the engine operatingcurrent producing means to the coil of the electro-magnetic device ofthe second car.

7. In a toy electric train assembly, a track layout including spacedcurrent conducting rails insulated from each other and upon which mayrun a train made up of an engine and at least one car each havingcurrent pickups engaging said rails, said engine including a low voltagerunning motor connected to the engine pick-up, a source of low voltagerunning current, means connecting said low voltage source to the railsfor supplying low voltage running current to the engine motor to run thetrain, a source of signal current, said signal current being differentto said running current, means connected to the rails for superimposingsaid signal cur-rent on the running current, means in the engineconnected to the pick-ups thereof and controlled by the signal currentfor producing high voltage operating current, means in circuit with thesource of signal current for interrupting said signal current andsimultaneously interrupting the operating current, a coupler on atleastone end of the engine and connected to the operating current producingmeansja coupler at each end of the car one of which is coupled totheengine coupler, an electro-magnetic device in the car havingtwowindings, an operating member that is moved inwardly towards themagnetic device when current flows through said windings, means normallyurging the'mem bcroutwardlyaway the magnetic device, meansconnectingeach winding to a car coupler, means connecting both windings to one ofthe car pick-ups, said member being. drawninwardly to the magneticdevice when the operatingcurrent fiows through one ofthe windings, andmeans operated by the member when the operating current isinterrupted'to open at least one of the car coulers. V V

8. In a toy tnain assembly as claimed in claim 7 including a thirdwinding in the electro-magnetic device 'connected to a car pick-tip, andswitch means operating the operating member moving outwardly from themagnetic device to ,connect said :third, windingto, the other carpick-up to energize said magnetic deviceby the running current and movethe member inwardly -when the car couplers are-opened, an interruptionof the running current permitting the member to movefoutwardly' to causethe 'couplerto close. .7

In a my train assembly claimed in claim 8 including another car coupledto the first car and having the same electromagnet coupler arrangementas the latter car, switch means operated by the operating member of thefirst car moving outwardly to connect one coupler thereof to its othercoupler to direct the operating current through a winding of themagnetic device of the second car, said last-mentioned switch meansbeing opened the next time the member of the first car moves outwardly,whereby an interruption of the running current permits the member of thefirst car to move outwardly to close the couplers of said first car andto de-energize the magnetic device of the second car to open thecouplers of the latter car.

10. In a toy electric train assembly, a track layout including spacedcurrent conducting rails insulated from each other and upon which mayrun a train made up of 7 an engine and at least one car each havingcurrent pickups engaging said rails, said engine including a low voltagerunning motor connected to the engine pick-up, a source of low voltagerunning current, means connecting said low voltage source to the railsfor supplying low voltage running current to the engine motor to run thetrain, a source of signal current, said signal current being difierentfrom said running current, means connected to the rails forsuperimposing said signal current on the running current, means in theengine and connected to the pickups thereof for producing high voltageoperating current, means in circuit with the source of signal currentfor interrupting said signal current and simultaneously interrupting theoperating current, spaced and aligned first and second electro-magnetsin the car, the first magnet being connected to the engine operatingcurrent producing means and to one of the car pick-ups, the secondmagnet being connected to a contact and to the other car pick-up, a reedbetween the magnets and connected to the first car pick-up and normallyspaced from said contact, said reed being attracted to the first magnetwhen the operating current fiows through said magnet and on interruptionof the operating current said reed engaging the contact to cause thesecond magnet to be energized by fiow of the running currenttherethrough to retain the reed against the contact, interruption of therunning curk i 14 v 11. A toy train assembly as claimed in claim 10 inwhich the enginecoupler is connected to the operating current producingmeans and there is a coupler at each enact the car, and including meansconnecting one car coupler to the other, and a contact at each couplerelectrically separated therefrom, said coupler contacts being connectedto the first magnet, and means for electrically disconnecting eachcontact to its coupler when the latter is coupled to another coupler.

12. In a toy electric train assembly, a track layout including spacedcurrent conducting rails insulated from each other and upon which mayrun a train made upof an engine and at least one car each having currentpickups'engaging said rails, said engine including a low voltage..running motor connected to the engine pick-up, a

source of low voltage running current, means connecting said low voltagesource to the rails for supplying low voltage running current to theengine motor to run the train, a source of high frequency low voltagesignal current, means connecting said high frequency source to the railsfor superimposing said signal current on the running current, means incircuit with the signal current producing means for interrupting saidsignal current, means in the'engine, and connected to the pick-upsthereof. for transforming the signal current into a high voltageoperfatiugicurrent, interruptions in the signal current interrupting theoperating current, electric coupler operating circuit means in the carconnected to the engine operating current producing means and to the carpick-ups, couplers on the engine and car, means in the car responsive tointerruptions in the high voltage operating current for opening the carcouplers.

13. A toy train assembly as claimed in claim 12 in which the runningcurrent supplying means supplies direct current.

14. A toy train assembly as claimed in claim 12 in which the runningcurrent supplying means supplies alternating current.

15. In a toy electric train assembly, a track layout including spacedcurrent conducting rails insulated from each other and upon which mayrun a train made up of an engine and at least one car each havingcurrent pickups engaging said rails, said engine including a low voltagerunning motor connected to the engine pick-ups, means connected to therails for supplying low voltage direct current with a low voltage ripplecurrent superimposed thereon, said direct current being a runningcurrent for the engine motor and the ripple current being a signalcurrent, means for selectively shorting out the ripple signal current,means in the engine connected in circuit with the running and signalcurrent producing means for causing a high voltage operating current toflow when the signal current is on, said means comprising a high voltagebattery connected to spaced contacts, a reed between the contactsnormally free thereof and connected to an engine pick-up, and a magnetnear the reed and having a winding connected to the engine pickups,whereby flow of the running and ripple currents through the magnetcauses the reed to vibrate between the contacts to cause current to flowfrom the battery, said running current alone not being sufficient tocause the reed to engage either contact, electric coupler operatingcircuit means in the car connected to the engine operating currentproducing means and to the car pickups, couplers on the engine and car,and means in the car responsive to interruptions in the high voltageoperating current for opening the car couplers.

16. In a toy electric train assembly, a track layout including spacedcurrent conducting rails insulated from each other and upon which mayrun a train made up of an engine and at least one car each havingcurrent pickups engaging said rails, said engine including a low voltagerunning motor connected to the engine pick-ups, a source of low voltagealternating running current, means connecting said low voltage source tothe rails for supplying low voltage alternating running current to theengine motor to run the train, a source of direct signal current, meansconnecting said direct signal current source to the rails forsuperimposing a direct signal current on the running current, means inthe engine and connected to the pick-ups thereof for transforming thelow voltage running current into high voltage operating current, meansin circuit with the source of signal current for interrupting saidsignal current and thereby interrupting the operating current, couplerson the engine and each car, electric coupler operating circuit means ineach car connected to the engine operating current producing means andto the car pick-ups, said coupler operating circuit means beingresponsive to interruptions in the high voltage operating current foropening the car couplers.

a signal current, means for selectively shorting out the ripple signalcurrent, means in the engine connected in circuit with the running andsignal current producing means and causing a high voltage operatingcurrent to flow when the signal current is on, said means comprising atransformer having a secondary connected to an engine pick-up and aprimary with its opposite ends connected to spaced contacts, meansconnecting the centre of the primary to the other engine pick-up, a coilwith its oppositeends connected to the engine pick-ups, and a reednormally spaced from both contacts and connected .to the same enginepick-ups as the transformer secondary, whereby flow of the running andripple currents through the magnet causes the reed to vibrate betweenthe contacts to cause current to flow from the battery, said runningcurrent alone not being suflicient to cause the reed to engage eithercontact, electric coupler operating circuit means in the car connectedto the engine operating current producing means and to the car pickups,couplers on the engine and car, and means in the car responsive tointerruptions in the high voltage operating current for opening the carcouplers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,182,850 Middleton Dec. 12, 1939 2,622,542 Bonanno Dec. 23, 19522,714,859 Klemme Aug. 9, 1955

